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The popular player, who was more concerned about a back, neck or knee problem ending his career, said he'd had a rough time since suffering the injury.

"For the first three or weeks I couldn't do anything. I couldn't drive and train," he said.

"But I was sitting in the office two weeks ago and I heard about a guy with a brain tumour and I've got a poke in the eye. There's worse things in life than a poke in the eye.

"I'm very fortunate, very lucky to have had such a long career but I wasn't expecting a poke in the eye to finish it."

Injury cruelled robbed Robinson of a World Cup appearance but Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said the prop he helped guide to a Super Rugby title in 2014 nevertheless had a big impact on Australian rugby.

"Every player who has the honour of playing for the Wallabies has a responsibility to leave their own special mark on the jersey for the next generation to shape and build on, which Benn has certainly done," Cheika said.

Waratahs club captain Dave Dennis hailed Robinson as the ultimate team man after the front-rower placed playing for NSW with his mates as the highlight of his career.

"It would be easy for me to say winning the premiership or (getting) my first cap but walking into this office every day, that's special," Robinson said.

"That's something I'm going to miss the most - coming in here and seeing the boys."